September 2026 Book Releases

Under Story

Author: Chloe Benjamin

Release Date: September 1, 2026

Genre: Speculative Fiction

More info: New York Times Bestselling author of The Immortalists, September 2026 Good Morning America Book Club Pick

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range: 16+

Plot

Laurel is a mycologist (study of fungus) who flees to Antarctica to work as a dishwasher. She is drawn to the strange life of 6 months of daylight followed by 6 months of darkness. She hopes that she will be able to start to heal after the loss of her son. When a strange light appears across the ice, a group of physicists comes to investigate, and Laurel is shocked to see that her ex-husband, Eli, is one of them. He initially thinks she followed him there to reconcile, but quickly realizes that Laurel has been there for months.

Laurel is convinced that the arc is the exact concept her husband had thought of years ago: a duoverse, and that it will allow them to turn back the clock and relive their lives a second time. The purpose? To find their son.

What follows is a trip into an alternate universe where fungi are the beginnings of life, and time works backward. Life begins at the end and moves forward, so people grow younger.

Trigger Warnings

Child Death, Suicidal Thoughts

Why Jackie loves it

I cannot believe that Benjamin does not have advanced degrees in physics and biology. This book is so creative and unique; at times, I had to put the book down to absorb the information and the brilliant world Benjamin created. This book has elements of Benjamin Button and parts of Interstellar as well. Benjamin’s creativity has no limit.

Find this book in: Best Sci-Fi Books of All Time / Best Fantasy Books of 2026 / The Best Good Morning America Books / GMA Book Club List 2026 / Books About Women in STEM / Speculative Fiction Novels

Big Little Truths

Author: Liane Moriarty

Release Date: August 25, 2026

Genre: Fiction

More info: Big Little Lies #2, September 2026 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

Plot

In this sequel to the smash hit, Big Little Lies, it’s been ten years since the events of the previous book. Madeline, Celeste, Jane, Renata, and Bonnie are back with their kids, now teenagers, and you know what they say: bigger kids, bigger problems.

As the mothers navigate parenting teens, their personal problems once more take center stage, even as the high school principal gets a mysterious package that has the town in an uproar.

Trigger Warnings

Cancer, Pedophilia

Why Kirsten loves it

I was doubtful the sequel would live up to the original, but I was sooooo wrong! Reuniting with Madeline, Celeste and the gang felt like reuniting with friends. I read the first book when I had preschoolers, so it was incredible to see them having the same struggles as I do while raising teenagers. Seeing them balance the health and well-being of their kids, husbands, and parents, alongside their friendships and selves, was so important to me. To see my struggles reflected in fiction was even better than the many mysteries at play throughout the novel.

I also really loved the added narrative of the teens and Mary Louise telling their story! I wholeheartedly enjoyed this story for making me feel seen while absolutely entertaining me at the same time! I can’t wait to see it adapted! Gifted by PRH Audio.

Find this book in: Reese Witherspoon Book Club List 2026 / The Best Books Set in High School

Sophie, Standing There

Author: Meg Mason

Release Date: September 29, 2026

Genre: Fiction

More info: October 2026 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

Plot

Sophie loves her brother, her best friend, and her job at the town book festival, but after Christmas, the life she loves is in tatters. She’s about to lose her job, she’s estranged from her family and friends and in her isolation she turns to reading a specific author’s work – an author she hasn’t read since her twenties. As she connects with the stories, she begins to believe she’s destined to befriend or fall in love with the author of her beloved stories.

The Three Graces of Pearl Street

Author: Elizabeth Wellington Rollins 

Year: 2026

Genre: Fiction

More info: Debut Novel, March 2027 Beyond the Bookends Book Club Pick

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range: 16+

Plot

Graziella is a 96-year-old former nun who runs the parish’s food kitchen. Her daughter Grace is a psychology professor, and her granddaughter Ella is brilliant but is having trouble finding where she really belongs. When the three Graces come back together to live under one roof, they may find out what it means to really be known by somebody else.

Each Grace is struggling with something, and each of them can learn from the other two Graces. But they are all hiding secrets that, when they come to light, might upend their fragile family dynamic.

Trigger Warnings

Grief

Why Kirsten loves it

I’m a sucker for a multi-generation novel to begin with, but add in layers of food, romance, and finding yourself, and you know I’m gonna dive right in. But this book is more than the sum of its parts in a way I can’t quite explain. I adore it.

I was rooting for all of the Graces, charmed by their eccentricities, delighted in their triumphs, and I was shattered by their sorrows. I wanted to dine with the Graces to hear their stories firsthand and watch their banter come to life. I’m PRAYING we get an adaptation of this story because I want it to come to life even more than it already is in my brain.

I’m so excited to talk with Elizabeth for our book club. I can’t wait to dive into her brain and find out the inspiration behind this story. Gifted by Atria and Simon Audio.

Find this book in: Books About Mothers and Motherhood / Novels About Food / Best Family Drama Books / Best Fiction Books of 2026 / Multigenerational Novels / Books with a Name in the Title

Taipei Story

Author: R. F. Kuang

Release Date: September 8, 2026

Genre: Fiction

More info: New York Times Bestselling Author of Yellowface

Plot

Lilly Chen is spending her summer in Taipei at an intensive language program. She hopes to connect with her culture. But her classes and roommate are nothing like she thought they would be. Rather than bring her closer to her past, she begins to feel even further away and more like a foreigner in a country she hoped would feel like home. When she finds out her grandfather has passed away, she begins to piece together the stories and memories in an attempt to make a connection. This is perfect for my list of coming-of-age novels. It asks many questions about connecting with family and looking for answers.

Hollow Bones

Author: Jodi Picoult

Release Date: September 15, 2026

Genre: Fiction

More info: September 2026 Katie Couric Book Club Pick, Number one New York Times bestselling author

Spice Rating:💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

Molly Fitzgerald lost her mother when she was two months old in the attack on the World Trade Center. Now, she runs the Rhode Island Department of Emergency Preparedness. Her husband, Jesse, is a police polygraph expert who also has a history of crisis of his own.

When Molly discovers she is pregnant, it sets off a chain of events that leads them to question everything.

This is a dual-timeline narrative that looks at Molly’s life as an adult as well as her mother, Eloise, pre 9/11. How much do we inherit from our parents, and how much do we learn?

Trigger Warnings

9/11 and post 9/11, Postpartum depression, disaster preparedness, sexual and physical abuse of a child, rape, suicidal thoughts, Psychosis

Why Jackie loves it

This is a compulsively readable book that I could not put down. It deals with many complex issues but in a way that brings awareness rather than stoking fear. There are difficult topics central to the plot of this book, but somehow, Picoult makes them approachable. I love how quickly this story moved and how much I felt for the characters. I finished this book with a feeling of hope and I loved every minute. Thank you @prhaudio #partner #gifted

Find this book in: Fiction Books about Mental Illness & Mental Health / Books About Mothers and Motherhood / Best Books for Book Clubs / Hollow Bones Book Club Questions

Falling for Peachtree Bluff

Author: Kristy Woodson Harvey

Release Date: September 15, 2026

Genre: Fiction

More info: New York Times Bestselling Author Peachtree Bluff Book 5

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range: 16+

Plot

Kirsten and I are so excited to read a book by Kristy that is perfect for fall. Harvey is one of our go-to summer authors. Emerson is planning her dream wedding, but it becomes complicated when she begins to think about having another child. Sloane, the middle sister, is pregnant, and her dream house has turned into a nightmare.

Caroline, the eldest sister, has started to fall for Emerson’s co-star when her soon-to-be ex-husband decides he wants a second chance. And Ansley, the matriarch, becomes caught in a scandal that seems to be centered around her new husband, Jack. She starts to question if he is who she thought.

Trigger Warnings

Fertility, miscarriage

Why Jackie loves it

Kristy Woodson Harvey never fails to write a family drama that feels authentic. Her characters are well-rounded and perfectly imperfect. The characters feel relatable and the nuances of family relationships are unmatched. Even if you have not read other books in the Peach Tree Bluff series, you can read this book. Harvey reiterates the important plot points to bring new readers up to speed and reminds familiar readers of what happened with their favorite Peach Tree characters.

Find this book in: Cozy Fall Books

The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman

Author: Deesha Philyaw

Year: September 29, 2026

Genre: Fiction

Spice Rating:💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

Scharisse Freeman never quite fit in after she married a man 15 years older than her who also happened to be the pastor of a mega church. Her old friends thought she had become too holy and the church members thought her not holy emough.

On her 40th birthday, she is finally invited to participate in the First Lady USA pageant. These first ladies are the pastors’ wives, but are actually just religious mean girls. When a scandal breaks with Schar at the center, her curated life implodes all around her, and secrets from her childhood are revealed.

Trigger Warnings

Rape, Religious bigotry

Why Kirsten loves it

I wanted to be Shar’s friend after reading this book. It started as an over-the-top, Real Housewives-esque novel about a beauty pageant, filled with silly antics and so many fashion looks, but it ended up covering some incredibly serious topics, including the hypocrisy in the church, the rape of a minor, the shame around AIDS, and more.

Shar kept her shrew and fun personality through it all, addressing the various scandals, lies, and backstabbing in a way that had me gasping and cheering in equal measure. I loved this debut and can’t wait for more from this author! Gifted by Mariner Books and HarperAudio

Find this book in: Novels About Fashion / Hawaii Novels

Hollywood, Ending

Author: John Green

Release Date: September 22, 2026

Genre: Fiction

More info: Bestselling author

Plot

This is a story told through two points of view- Kai and Juniper. They have been cast in a biopic movie, Andy Warhol never gets old. The book follows the two of them from their first days on location to the movie’s premiere while they’re falling in love. But it also shows the contrast to the parts they are portraying on screen. This book will make you think about the private versus public lives of celebrities.

The Pirate Queen

Author: Ariel Lawhon

Release Date: September 8, 2026

Genre: Historical Fiction

More info: New York Times bestselling author of The Frozen River. Inspired by the life of Grace O’Malley.

Spice Rating:💋💋

Age Range: 16+

Plot

Grace O’Malley is the daughter of a powerful chief. Although she is born with a gift for the sea, her role as a woman in the 1500s is to secure strong alliances and have children.

Grace is forced to marry a brutal warrior who shares a name with her half-brother, Donal. Because of the love for her brother, she will never call her husband, who she detests, by his name. She is eventually ousted from his lands.

This finally allows Grace to return home with her children and lead Clan O’Malley’s fleet of ships. Queen Elizabeth becomes bolder with her incursions into Ireland; Grace defends her land, her ships, and her people.

Trigger Warnings

Rape, Torture, Confinement, Murder

Why Jackie loves it

Grace was known as the pirate queen of Ireland, something unheard of in the 1500s. Lawhon’s research is unparalleled. This is an epic saga over multiple timelines, and yet I could not devour this book fast enough, while simultaneously wanting to slow down so I would not finish it too quickly. I had no trouble keeping up with the characters. To me, they were fully formed people. I am very thankful to have listened to this book ( thank you #PRHaudio for my copy of this book) because otherwise, I know I would have pronounced all the names incorrectly.

Find this book in: Best Pirate Books / Ariel Lawhon Books in Order / Best Historical Fiction Books of 2026

Our Noble Selves

Author:

Release Date: September 15, 2026

Genre: Historical Fiction

More info: #1 International bestselling author of Life After Life

Plot

Harry Flynn has just returned to Britain from Singapore in 1945, and takes a job with the Festival of Britain. It is a government-funded endeavor to create a positive identity for Britain after the Second World War.

When a French woman goes missing, Flynn becomes the primary suspect because he was the last person to see her alive. He has no memory of that evening. He is surrounded by people who have their own agendas and may benefit if he is to blame. I cannot wait to read this September 2026 new release from Atkinson.

The Weight of Angels

Author: Historical Fiction

Release Date: September 29, 2026

Genre: Historical Fiction

More info: Reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s Life

Plot

When Oscar Wilde received a card with the words “For Oscar Wilde, posing somdomite”, he sued the Marquess of Queensbury for libel. The result was that he was arrested and sent to prison. In this September 2026 book release, Boyne reimagines what Wilde’s life would have looked like if he had simply ignored the insult. What would his life have looked like?

The Witches of Cambridge

Author: Alice Hoffman

Release Date: September 8, 2026

Genre: Fantasy

More info: September 2026 Read with Jenna Book Club Pick

Spice Rating:💋💋

Age Range: 16+

Plot

Ava is from a small town in Maine with a strict family and a rural upbringing. When she arrives at Radcliffe for her first year, she meets Lauren, who is from a prominent Cambridge family.

On their first night, they are both recruited by the Lilith society, a secret society of witches. When girls from the Lilith society begin to go missing, they begin to question their own safety.

Filled with witch lore and dark omens, Ava and Lilith must navigate friendship and love in the 1950s.

Trigger Warnings

Historical reference to trauma/ murders during the witch trials

Why Jackie loves it

This book is unlike the books in the Practical Magic Series. It is much darker, with references to black blood, the eleventh finger, etc. I wish I had been aware when I started the book so that I could enjoy it more. Like Hoffman’s other historical fiction books, this one is heavily researched, but it includes references to magic that are so realistic that it feels like it could be fact. #SimonAudioInfluencer

Find this Book in: Alice Hoffman Books in Order / Read with Jenna Book Club List 2026 / Adult Books Similar to Harry Potter / Dark Academia Fantasy Books Like Ninth House / The Best Witch Books

A Time of Witches

Author: Madeline Martin

Year: 2026

Genre: Fantasy

More info: New York Times Bestselling Author

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range: 16+

Plot

When Lilith’s mother dies, strange things start happening that she cannot explain. Her birthmark on her arm starts burning, and she has a recurring nightmare in which she is being burned at the stake. When she goes to see a fortune teller, the woman tells her that she needs to look into her past to find the answers before she ceases to exist. With that knowledge, Lilith travels from Savannah to England to search for answers about her past and her legacy.

Sybil is a widow who has spent her life caring for others, but now stands accused of being a witch. In 1645, the witch trials in England were out of control. Sybil will do anything to protect her younger sister, Jacinda, who has power beyond her control.

The two women, centuries apart, must save each other in order to save themselves. Their fates are entwined.

Trigger Warnings

Torture

Why Jackie loves it

I loved the way the past and present came together seamlessly in this story that is about women trying to reclaim their voices. This is a powerful message about friendship and love, and what it truly means to be a woman.

Find this book in: The Best Witch Books / Books About Sisters and Sisterhood

Tempest

Author: Victoria Aveyard

Year: 2026

Genre: Fantasy

More info: The Lyrian Sea #1

Spice Rating:💋💋

Age Range: 16+

Plot

Cat Rose was once a noblewoman trapped in a loveless marriage. Now, she is a widow who is the owner of a pirate Tavern in the Lyrian Sea. The empire gives her a choice. Deliver Valerian Kane, the legendary pirate captain, or risk all the pirates being destroyed. The problem? He is the only man Cat has ever loved.

Why Kirsten loves it

This was such a fun story that had me feeling like I was reading Pirates of the Caribbean-inspired fiction. I adored Red Queen, but didn’t love Aveyard’s next series, so I’m glad to see her back in top form! The setting was unique, the love triangle was juicy, and the cliffhanger had me so frustrated in the best way. Thanks to Libro.FM for my review copy!

Find this book in: Best Pirate Books

Big Bad Wolf

Author: Laurie Gilmore

Release Date: September 8, 2026

Genre: Fantasy Romance

More info: Maple Hollow Book 1

Plot

Here is the scoop. If you have read A Curse of Blood and Wolves by Melissa McTernan, you know what this story is about. Laurie and Melissa are the same person. Everything that was dark in ACOBAW has been replaced with the small-town charm we have all come to love Gilmore for. She took the opportunity to think about this Red Riding Hood retelling and rework the story and characters.

I am really looking forward to reading this book. I admit that I read ACOBAW and did not like it. It was too dark for me. This one seems right up my alley. You should also be aware that if you have ACOBAW on your Kindle, it will not be available once this book is published.

The Palace Beneath the Sea

Author: Lauren Wiesebron

Release Date: September 15, 2026

Genre: Fantasy

More info: Mermaid-inspired

Plot

Nolwenn has devoted her life to defending her city of Ys as its lighthouse keeper. When she is attacked by deadly monsters who are trying to destroy the city, she is saved by a mermaid named Morvan. He takes her below Ys, into the ocean, against her will. But as she spends time below, she feels less sure about what she wants and has to decide between her heart and her home.

The Wretched Divine

Author: Adalyn Grace

Release Date: September 22, 2026

Genre: Fantasy

More info: Adult debut from #1 New York Times bestselling Author

Plot

Aurelie Chantelune was raised as a night who slays monsters in the kingdom. She is trying to inherit her legacy by making a soulbond with the angel Yuriel. When she realizes that humans are being turned into monsters, she forms a second bond with Severin, a demon. The three of them must team up to find a cure and turn the demons back into humans, but she will need to make a choice. Will she stand with the angels or risk everything by trusting a demon?

Mestra: A Short Story

Author: Madeline Miller

Release Date: September 29, 2026

Genre: Mythology

More info: #1 New York Times bestselling author

Plot

Mestra, the daughter of King Thessaly, is granted the ability to transform into any being she can imagine by Poseidon. Her father is cursed with insatiable hunger. She wants to help her father, but how much will he take from her? She has to decide if she will keep helping him survive or break free.

The Court of Venus

Author: Bel Banta

Release Date: September 29, 2026

Genre: Romantasy

More info: Deluxe Edition

Plot

Magicians have a place beside kings in Alvion because their abilities are so rare. Magicians are blessed at birth by one of the planets. When Bianca Mortlake is born, she is the first Moonborn mafician in over 1000 years. She spent her childhood training under the realm’s most powerful magician.

When she is summoned back to court, two queens have been executed, and the royal court is in mayhem. The only person Bianca can rely on is Roland, a Venusborn magician. They must rely on each other to save the kingdom from the fate they see in the stars. This is an enemies-to-lovers, slow burn romance with royals, magical tournaments, and a murder mystery. What could be better?

Mother Daughter Sister Stranger

Author: Hank Phillippi Ryan

Release Date: September 1, 2026

Genre: Thriller

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range:

Plot

Elisa and Bea Ramsey are the sole survivors of a plane crash that killed their parents. On the 11th anniversary of the accident, Bea does not come to get her daughter, Piper, from a sleepover at Elisa’s house. She does not show up at the cemetery, and she is unreachable by phone. Where is Bea?

Elisa knows that Bea would never abandon Piper. Did Bea plan her disappearance or did something happen to her? Something is not quite right. The alarm codes are changed on Bea’s house, and they don’t know who they can trust. Eliza and Piper have to work together to find Bea.

Trigger Warnings

Missing Parent

Why Jackie loves it

This book was filled with twists and turns I never saw coming. Piper is such a great character- smart and on the ball. I read this quickly because I had a hard time putting it down. Thank you, @Minotaurbooks for my copy of this book.

Find this book in Domestic Noir Books

It’s Not What You Think

Author: Clare Mackintosh

Release Date: September 22, 2026

Genre: Thriller

More info: New York Times Bestselling Author

Plot

Nadeeka is certain Jamie is having an affair and is determined to catch him in the act. But when she arrives home to catch and confront him, he is dead. The entire house is a crime scene. From one of my favorite mystery thriller writers comes one of the most anticipated September 2026 book releases.

Oxford Guide to Scandals and Lies

Author: Kate Westbury

Year: 2026

Genre: Historical Mystery

More info: Debut Novel

Age Range: 16+

Plot

Ginevra Bishop and Sidney Braithwaite both attend Oxford in 1951. Ginerva wants to prove she is more than a debutant. Sidney is trying to get far away from his childhood mining village and memories of the war. The British Secret Service wants to pair her charm with his spy experience to catch the Soviet spy at the university. The previous agent was poisoned, and MI5 wants the two of them to pair up and find him before sensitive information is sent to the enemy.

Why Kirsten likes it

This was a fun mystery set in a favorite historical location of mine – Oxford University. The ancient buildings and creepy alleyways make for the perfect setting, while Ginevra and Sidney’s tension went from enemies to something more in a believable way. I think we will be seeing more of this duo in the future. Gifted by MacMillan Audio.

Find this book in: Best Historical Mystery Books / Books About Female Spies

Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel

Author: Lucy Foley

Year: 2026

Genre: Mystery

More info: Book 1 in the new Miss Marple Series

Age Range: 14+

Plot

This story is the first in a new Miss Marple series, written by the great Lucy Foley. The Grand Alpine Hotel is in the Swiss Alps. It is the perfect place for a holiday until a guest turns up dead and a blizzard cuts off their escape. Can Miss Marple find the killer before they choose their next victim?

Why Kirsten loves it

The narrative format differs from Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple, but I’m OK with that because it sets it apart from the original series while keeping the same mystery style. The story opens with the dead body and then flashes back and is told through the eyes of the wife, the starlet, the friend, and the help instead of from Miss Marple or a narrator and I loved that set-up. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!!! Gifted by William Morrow

Find this book in: Thrillers and Mysteries Set in Hotels / Best Historical Mystery Books / The Best Winter Books

We Chase Shadows

Author: Richard Osman

Release Date: September 15, 2026

Genre: Mystery

More info: We Solve Murders Mystery

Plot

Amy, Rosie, and Steve are ready for their first case at We Solve Murders HQ. Their first client seems a little sketchy, but they are happy to take the case anyway. When they start digging, suspects start piling up. The murderer is very good at hiding. The team travels all over once again to catch a killer.

If Not You

Author: Ellen O’Clover

Release Date: September 15, 2026

Genre: Romance

Plot

Mattie is a copywriter at an independent ad agency vying for a promotion. When she is given the opportunity to get a big new account, she knows that this could be her opportunity. The only thing standing in her way is Campbell Porter. He is a senior copy editor at Chicago’s biggest ad agency and Mattie’s rival since their time as interns together.

They are thrown together and a four-week trip is required to make the pitch. As they start to get to know each other, Mattie realizes the story she made up about Campbell might need a different ending. Might this September 2026 book release be a pick for road trip novels?

The Hocus Pocus Handbook

Author: Ann Aguire

Release Date: September 1, 2026

Genre: Romance

Plot

This September 2026 book release had me at cozy Fae romance! We have changelings, Faye, hobgoblins, and forbidden romance. I’m not sure how spicy this one will be, but it seems like a perfect pick for fall.

The Sugar Maple Inn

Author: Laura Bloom

Release Date: September 15, 2026

Genre: Romance

More info: Solace Springs Book #2

Plot

Grace Sullivan wants to buy the historic Inn on Maple Island, so she has something of her own. She has an anonymous online mentor who gives her business advice. Reese Spencer is a billionaire who also wants to buy the remote island because there are family secrets buried there. Neither of them knows they have been chatting to the other online for months until they become trapped in the inn’s honeymoon suite. Will they fight for the inn or fight for something bigger?

Well Versed

Release Date: September 22, 2026

Author: Jen DeLuca

Genre: Romance

More info: Well Met #5

Plot

Caitlin Parker used to love the Willow Creek Renaissance faire until she had her heart broken there when she was 18. Now, she is 24 and unemployed, so she has no choice but to go back to the faire and work. Alexander Wright is the last person she wants to see. When he broke up with her, he thought he was ending a summer fling, but didn’t realize how much he liked her until it was too late. He is determined to fix his mistakes and bring them back together again.

The Vanishing Family

Author: Robert Kolker

Year: 2026

Genre: Nonfiction

More info: New York Times bestselling author of Hidden Valley Road, Beyond the Bookends Book Club Pick for November 2026

Age Range: 16+

Plot

Robert Kolker is the author of Hidden Valley Road, which was the story of one family and schizophrenia. In this book, Kolker looks at one family and their fight against frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The family has a genetic mutation in which there’s a 50-50 chance the children will have this form of dementia as well.

Barb, the youngest of the nine children, watched as her mother became someone she didn’t know in her 40s. Slowly, four of her siblings began to change too. Interspersed throughout the story is a look at the science behind trying to find a cure for dementia, done with Kolker’s captivating writing style.

Trigger Warnings

Dementia, Alcoholism, Cancer

Why Kirsten loves it

I couldn’t stop reading this story. Barb, Jenny, Sue, and the rest of the siblings felt like people I knew from my own neighborhood, and their story brought up so many questions about the impact of dementia on one’s family and self. I can’t wait to talk more deeply about this one with our book club and Bob. It should be a fascinating discussion. Gifted by Doubleday.

Find this book in: Best Nonfiction Books of 2026 / Math and Science Nonfiction Books / 2026 Beyond the Bookends Book Club List

Between Chapters

Author: Zibby Owens

Year: 2026

Genre: Memoir Essays

Age Range: 16+

Plot

Zibby walks us through her post-divorce life in this series of essays. They cover everything from editing an anthology and becoming a p odcaster to parenting highs and lows. I happened to get an audioversion and loved hearing Zibby read it.

Why Kirsten loves it

I’ve never read a memoir quite like this one. Rather than tell a chronological story, readers are treated to various essays written over the course of many years, showing snippets of Zibby’s life. It felt intimate, like catching up and learning an old friend’s story. I can’t wait to hear Zibby talk about this later in the month. #gifted by Zibby Publishing.

Find this book in: Nonfiction Books About Books

An Unexpected Life: A Memoir

Author: Gloria Steinem

Release Date: September 22, 2026

Genre: Memoir

Plot

Gloria Steinman is one of the world’s most famous feminist icons, and in her new memoir, she shares her early life and her journey to becoming the woman we all know. She talks about decades of activism and setbacks and reflects on victories, one for women and human rights. This is the memoir we all need to read in 2026.

Trust Fall

Author: Lynn Painter

Release Date: September 29, 2026

Genre: YA Rom Com

More info: #1 New York Times bestselling author

Plot

When Julia’s next-door neighbor passes away, she learns he is a secret multimillionaire who has left everything to her and her family. Soon after, Julia moves to New York City to attend an elite private school. But what should be an amazing opportunity turns into a nightmare when Julia doesn’t fit in and is failing her classes. Damion says that he will tutor her, but he has an ulterior motive. His great uncle was the man who left everything to Julia, and he is determined to figure out why. As they get to know each other, they start to see past their differences, and sparks fly.

Hawk & Sparrow

Author: Ayana Gray

Release Date: September 1, 2026

Genre: Historical Mystery Fantasy

More info: September 2026 Good Morning America YA Book Club Pick

Plot

Orphan Vesper is a Gilded Age journalist trying to keep The Basalton Globe afloat. While covering a society function, she stumbles upon a murder man, and industrialist Maximilian Kite is the prime suspect. But Max makes Vesper a tempting offer: pretend to date him so they can find the true culprit – and Max will give her enough to save the paper.

The Little Shop of Merry and Bright

Author: Jenny Bayliss

Release Date: September 22, 2026

Genre: Christmas Romance

More info: A Contemporary Christmas Carol Retelling

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range: 16+

Plot

When Casey declined her boyfriend’s marriage proposal three years ago, she never dreamed that it would go viral, and she would still be dealing with the backlash years later. Now, she has chosen a job with no potential for humiliation. But there is no potential for a boyfriend either.

When Casey meets Margo, the spirit of Christmas present, they make a bargain. Margo will use her powers to erase the video, but Casey must first witness five alternate realities. If she still wants the video erased, Margo will do it. Casey will have to decide what she really wants from life.

Why Kirsten likes it

This story wasn’t so Christmassy, but it was a fun, light-hearted fantasy about the paths not taken. I loved Margo’s antics and the funny glimpses of Casey’s other potential futures, but mostly I loved her current life – warts and all. It wasn’t my favorite Jenny Bayliss, but I did enjoy it. It would be a good first book to transition to the Christmas season. Gifted by Putnam Books.

Find this book in: Fantasy Christmas Books / New Christmas Books / Jenny Bayliss Books Ranked

Christmas at Honeycomb Bay

Author: Lilac Mills

Release Date: September 29, 2026

Genre: Christmas Romance

Plot

Ok. I love a great Christmas romance. This one fills all the cups with a small-town, later-in-life, forced-proximity holiday situation. Eloise needs to get away for the holidays because they are always so lonely for her. Bartholomew has not opened his guest house to visitors since his wife passed away.

When Eloise contacts him about renting his guest house, she assures him that she dislikes Christmas as much as he does. When Bart is forced to give shelter to a single mom and a child whose holiday has been devastated by a fire, Eloise finds herself playing the role of Mrs. Claus to Bart’s Santa. But the more they get into their roles, the more they realize its not so bad to have some Christmas spirit. Sometimes the best way to escape Christmas is to open your heart.

A Curse for Christmas Past

Author: Morgan Lockhart

Release Date: September 22, 2026

Genre: Christmas Romance

More info: Spell of Midwinter Heart #2

Spice Rating:💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

Hayleigh has been cursed. She lost her job, her bank account has been hacked, her horse is sick, and she is seeing things! The only way she can think of to break it is by going to Elk Ridge, Washington, for the winter festival with a clan of witches. She is positive that one of them is responsible for the curse. There, she bumps into Stephan Midwinter, who assures her that nobody from Elk Ridge cursed her and offers to help break the curse.

As Hayleigh and Stephan try to find the real culprit behind the curse, she learns to ask herself what kind of life she really wants. Was her old job really what she wants, and what is she willing to sacrifice to get it back>

Why Jackie loves it

I knew I would get my HEA with this book, but getting there was delightful. I love the nod to Baba Yaga and the other characters from Russian Folklore.

The Twelve Loves of Christmas

Author: Alexandria Bellefleur, Elise Bryant, and more

Release Date: September 29, 2026

Genre: Advent Romance Short Story Collection

More info: Twelve Holiday Love Stories

Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

This is a Christmas advent calendar, and it should be on everyone’s list for the holiday. There are twelve SEALED love stories from favorite authors like Sarah Hogle. There is a forced proximity, a few second-chance romances, and more.

Why Kirsten likes it

I think these advent books are just the smartest thing! A story every day leading up to Christmas? GENIUS. The representation within each story was lovely. Some end in a kiss, some are quite steamy. There are all kinds of love stories represented, and while I liked some stories more than others, the collection as a whole is dreamy. Thanks to Atria for my review copy!

Snowed Inn

Author: Valerie Bowman

Release Date: September 29, 2026

Genre: Holiday Romance

More info: Honeycrisp Orchard Romance #2

Plot

When publicist Maria is snowed into the Honeycrisp Orchard Inn over the holidays, the last thing she wants is her nemesis, Jesse, to be stuck there with her. But with the holidays around the corner and small-town festivities all around, Maria might find hot chocolate, snow drifts, and romance where she least expects it.